Power-transmitting mechanism.



No. 860.881. PATENTBD JULY 23, 1907.

` G. OLTON.

POWER TRANSMITTING MEGHANISM. APPLIOATION FILED 1m29.190s.

a i 1 @nl 17 16 ZZ lf 23 6.5M@ 0120224. W1 m1555155.- INI/ENTo/e GUSTAF OLTON,

PowER-TRANsMITTINefME CHANISM.

OF MONTICELLO, MINNESOTA.

To all 'whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GUSTAF OLToN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Monticello, in the county oi Wright and State of Minnesota, have invented a new and usefulPower-Transmitting Mechanism, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a mechanism for transmitting power from a driving element having either rotary 0r reciprocatory motion, to a rotary driven element at any desired speed from zero to maximum. Mechanisms of this character are of especial utility in connection with automobiles where an engine, such as a gasolene motor, may be run continuously in one direction and at constant speed, and various speeds, may be effected by suitable means intermediate the engine and the driving shaft of the vehicle. This means for changthe speed and direction of travel is of such a charcxtreme to the other, and any suitable slow speed may be employed when traveling up a steep hill, while at the same time utilizing the full speed and hence the entire power oi the motor.

With these ends in view, the invention comprises the novel features of construction and arrangement of parts, which will be fully described hereinafter in connection with the accompanying drawing, and set forth with particularity in the claims appended hereto.

In the accompanying drawing, of the embodiments of the invention, Figure l is a view of the power transmitting mechanism showing the same in side elevation. Fig. 2 is a section on line 2-2 of Fig. 1 drawn on an enlarged scale. Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the clutch mechanism for driving the rotary driven member, one ofthe parts being removed to show the interior.

Corresponding cated throughout parts in the several figures are indior rear wheels oi a motor vehicle. On the shaft is keyed a disk 2 having extending from opposite sides central sets of dogs arranged at diametrically opposite points and disposed with a dog of each set at the outside of the flange 5 oi the center disk and the other dog on the in- Speciication of Letters Patent. Application filed Tune 9, 1906.

Patented July 23, 1907. Serial No. 321,060.

side of said flange, as indicated at 9 and 10.

tated in a particular direction. member are arranged in a corresponding manner with those of the other member. By this arrangement,when one member is rotated, the other will be momentarily idle, and vice versa. This permits of motion being im- The gears are permanently in mesh so that when the frame is moved in one direction, both gears will be rotated together, but in opposite direcoted at 17 to a suitable part of the vehicle frame.

block 19. When the block 19 is at the upper end ofthe link 16, no substantial motion is transmitted from the engine to the driven shaft l. By gradually shifting the block toward the lower end oi the link, motion is transmitted uniformly from zero to maximum.

In a power transmitting device of the character described, the speed can be changed gradually from point to point Within the limits oi the device, so that the travel ot the vehicle is much smoother than is possible Where change speed gears are (employed.` Further'- more, in automobile systems employing change speed gears according to the usual practice, it is dicult at times to climb steep grades on account oi not having a gear low enough. With the present construction7 however, any desired low speed can be obtained while using the ull speed and power oi the engine.

While l have described the invention in connection with motor vehicles, it is obvious that it is not limited to this use, but may be employed in other instances Where variable or intermittent motion is desired to be transmitted from a continuously operating motor or source oi power. The power transmitting mechanism may also be found usefulv in mountain locomotives tor enabling the latter to carry heavy loads on steep grades by reason oi the low speed capable, and at the same time permitting a high rate of speed when traveling on the level.

I have described the principle oi operation oi the invention, together with the apparatus which l now consider to be the best embodiment thereoi, but I desire to have it understood that the apparatus shown is merely illustrative, and that minor changes and modiiications may be resorted to without departing from the spirit oi the invention.

l. In a power transmitting mechanism, the combination of a driven element, a disk having a peripheral lange extending from opposite sides thereof, members on opposite sides of the disk each having spaced concentric anges arranged interior and exteriorl to the ange of the disk, sets of dogs between the flanges of the members and disk, one set ot dogs engaging the external surface of the iiange on one side of the disk and the other set engaging the internal surface ot' the flange on the opposite side of the disk, there being gears on the members, a longitudinal rack carrying frame for simultaneously rotating' the members in opposite directions` and means for reciprocating the frame.

2. In a power transmitting mechanism, the combination of a driven element, a disk having a peripheral and a hub ange both extending from opposite sides thereof, a member on each side of the disk having spaced concentric anges disposed interior and exterior of the peripheral iiange of the disk and having a central opening for assembling on the hub ange of the latter, dogs carried by the flanges of the members for engaging on opposite sides of the peripheral flange of the disk, there being external gear teethy on the members, a rack engaging the teeth of each member, a reciprocating frame for supporting the racks, and a variable speed device for reciprocating the frame.

In a power transmitting mechanism, of a driven shaft, a disk keyed thereto, gears rotatably mounted on opposite sides of the disk and slightly spaced apart, clutching devices on the gears arranged to grip the disk, a reciprocating frame including a rack meshing with each gear, means secured to each rack and engaging between the gears for preventing the racks from moving laterally off the gears, and a change speed mechanism for reciprocating the rack carrying frame.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own, l have hereto affixed my signature in the presence of two witnesses. y

the combination GUSTAF OLTON.

Witnesses z CHRISTINA CLAUsnN, Anna E. OLSON. 

